I don't think this is necessarily subjective. Comparing a Hillibike, aka Clem Smith Jr., which the designer specifically and categorically states is based on a 1980s vintage mountain bike, to a Boulder or a Hampsten, certainly they will be different. If you have both bicycles, and you choose to focus on the exertion levels required by x vs y, and your aim is to get to the top faster, and/or in a more spirited manner, it's clear which bikes will win that battle, for virtually every rider. Presumably that's why you have a bunch of different bicycles.
The Clem Smith Jr is a Hillibike, and it rides just like one in every way. In good measure because, until the Gus/Suzie was released into the wild, it was the *only* Hillibike in existence. I bought a Clementine first batch. I think 2015? I needed to let it go temporarily to pay some bills. When I had a little cash on hand, no Clem Ls were to be had in all the land. So I bought a Jones Complete, when they first came out, in the summer of 2018. Super fun bike, 3" tires, disc brakes, go anywhere, do anything. But I felt like the Clementine climbed better, descended better, and handled regular road duty better. It was also easier to outfit with fenders, racks, etc. So I sold the Jones and bought another Clem L to replace the one I had to temporarily give up. I don't claim this to be everyone's experience. But it does help to acknowledge the intent of the bike's design and go from there. On Monday, January 6, 2020 at 7:52:38 PM UTC-5, Clayton.sf wrote: > > Some *subjective *counterpoints. > > Owned an MIT Atlantis, Cheviot and still own a Clem H. > > All of the above bikes would be my last choice for "spirited" unloaded > climbing when choosing from my stable. > > My Boulder, Black Mountain Cyles, Hampsten, and Jones all climb with less > perceived exertion on my part and at a higher average speed. > > It is not that the Riv models above are bad climbers but they do require > more effort (for me) for the same speed. > To me they are great loaded multi-purpose bike but they are not (to me) > "go-fast" bikes. > > On the flipside the Boulder, BMC, and Hampsten would all be inferior > heavily loaded. > > The Quickbeam on the other hand never felt like it was holding me back on > hills. > > > Clayton Scott > HBG, CA > > > > > On Monday, January 6, 2020 at 4:29:13 PM UTC-8, LBleriot wrote: >> >> Let me rephrase. I wouldn't climb any alpine pass unless it's in a >> funicular or a BMW M3. >> >> On Monday, January 6, 2020 at 4:18:28 PM UTC-5, Deacon Patrick wrote: >>> >>> LBleriot said of long chain stay bikes: "I wouldn't climb any alpine >>> passes on these bikes." >>> >>> Based on what? I've climbed (and descended) countless alpine passes, >>> roads and technical trails, with mine and it climbs and descends >>> brilliantly. >>> >>> With abandon, >>> Patrick >>> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/318f0f34-bac0-4b66-b8f2-6c5b2a3f127e%40googlegroups.com.
